International Journal of Sciences:

Basic and Applied Research

(IJSBAR)
ISSN 2307-4531
(Print & Online)

http://gssrr.org/index.php?journal=JournalOfBasicAndApplied
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Electrodynamic Induction in Electrostatic Field

Marin Cavelis*

Institute for Hydro-meteorology and Seismology, R.Burica 2, Podgorica,81000, Montenegro

Email: cavelis@seismo.co.me

Abstract

This paper described the principle of electrodynamic induction in the electric field. According to that principle,
induced electric current in the perfect conductor that connects two plane-parallel metal plates is proportional to a
rate of the flux changes through plates. This principle is possible to apply in the variable and invariable electric
field, as well as in the electrostatic field, regardless of the method for generating changes of flux. Besides that,
here is given a mathematical model and equivalent scheme that allows calculating the electrical circuits on this
principle. There is an apparent similarity between this principle and Faraday’s law of induction in a magnetic
field. A characteristic example of the application of this principle is a generator of alternative currents in the
electrostatic field, which is similar to a well-known electromagnetic generator.

Keywords: electrostatic induction; electrodynamic induction.

1. Introduction

According to the known Gauss's law [1], an electrostatic induction on the surface of the metallic body induces
electric charge proportional to the flux of the field through the surface [2]. Changes of the flux will redistribute
electrical charges and generate electrical currents. These currents could be directed and utilized with
appropriate shapes of the metal body. We have shown that in conductor connected between two thin parallel
metal plates induces electric current proportional to the rate of the changes of flux through the plates. This
principle of induction could be applied regardless of how does change of flux produces: by changing intensity of
the electric field, by moving plates in the electrostatic field or by moving the source of the electrostatic field in
the vicinity of the plates.

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* Corresponding author.

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 International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied Research (IJSBAR) (2020) Volume 51, No 2, pp 201-207

This induction of current in the electric field we named electrodynamic induction in the electric field, because of
similarities with the known Faraday’s law of electrodynamic induction in the magnetic field [3].

2. Materials and Methods

In the experiment, we will use two identical, relatively thin and parallel metal plates of arbitrary shapes and
areas, located in the air on a relatively small distance, as shown in Figure 1. Surfaces of the plates that stand
opposite one another we named internal surfaces and surfaces exposed to the electric field we named external
surfaces. Internal surfaces of plates at some arbitrary place are connected with short and thin metallic conductor,
whose resistance and inductance could be considered negligible. The distance between the plates should be so
small that it can be considered that electric field flux is equal through both plates. We will use a uniform
electric field, which has the same intensity at each point of space, therefore we can say that the same flux passed
through both plates and that electric charges are uniformly distributed on the surfaces of plates. Equal flux
through both plates is a supposition of essential meaning for this principle of induction.

Figure 1: Two plates connected with the conductor, used in the experiment

The principle of electrodynamic induction we will prove by analysis of the process of redistribution of the
electric charge in plates and conductor during a change of flux.

3. Results

Let's suppose, plates are exposed to the electric field and flux Φ was reached instantaneously after the
exposition. Under electric field influence, in a very short period after that moment occurs process shown on a
cross-section of plates in figure 2.

Figure 2: Process of redistribution of charge after the moment of applying of the electric field

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Further changes of flux will perturb this balance and causes the movement of electrons. Let suppose that flux
through both plates instantaneously increased for the infinitesimally small value dΦ. In a very short interval
after that will occur process as shown in figure 3.

Figure 3: Process of charge redistribution after the moment of flux increasing

Figure 4: Process of charge redistribution after the moment of flux decreasing.

Suppose that after formation this electrostatic equilibrium, flux through both plates instantaneously decreased
for the infinitesimally small value dΦ. After that moment, in a very short interval occurs process as shown in
figure 4.

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4. Discussion

From this experiment follows conclusion: infinitesimally small change of flux through the plates (dΦ) generate
a flow of electric charge (dq) through the conductor proportional to the change of flux:

dq  ε 0 dΦ

We assumed that change of flux occurred instantaneously and the conductor has negligible resistance and
inductance. That causes a very fast redistribution of electric charge. As a consequence, we can have assumed
that change of flux and the process of charge redistribution occurred in an infinitesimally short interval dt. So,
electrical current in the conductor can be expressed as the flow of charges in this interval:

dΦ
i  ε0
dt

Quotient dΦ/dt is the rate of change of flux, therefore we can conclude that induced electrical current is
proportional to the rate of change of flux. From the above, is possible to define the principle of electro-dynamic
induction in the electric field that reads:

In a perfect conductor that connects two plane-parallel metal plates, change of electric field flux through
the plates will induce an electric current that is proportional to the rate of flux change.

From figure 3 one can see that increase flux causes the movement of electrons in a direction that is opposite to
the direction of field vector. On the other side, the reduction of flux causes the movement of electrons in the
direction of the field vector (Figure 4). According to the well-known convention, the positive direction of the
current is the movement of electrons opposite to the direction of the electric field that causes movement.
Therefore, it can be accepted that the positive change of flux generates a positive direction of the current.

Applicability of this principle is possible in the environment with permittivity of vacuum (ε0) regardless of the
method for generating changes of flux, under the condition that the changes of flux through both plates are
equal.

Here is shown the simplest example of proof of the principle electrodynamic induction in the electrostatic field.
We have proved this principle for every particular case of change of electric field flux, theoretically and in the
laboratory.

Using well-known Norton’s theorem [4] gives a possibility to define a model for calculating induced current in
the cases when plates are connected with a real conductor, which has resistivity and inductivity. According to
the Norton’s theorem, generating current through an impedance Z from an unknown source can be presented by
Norton source that is connected in parallel to impedance Z. The Norton source consists of an ideal current
source and its internal impedance [4]. For defining the current of the ideal source (ig) and its internal impedance
(Zg), we will make the next experiment.

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Suppose that plates are connected with impedance Z and the whole area of the plates (S) are exposed to the
uniform electric field whose intensity changes in accordance with sine function (E = Em sinωt) and whose lines
are perpendicular to the plates. Therefore, changes of flux through plates can be expressed by:

  SEm sin t.

If we bridged the impedance Z with a perfect conductor, the total current of the ideal source (ig) will pass
through this conductor. In the case when the plates are connected with the perfect conductor induced current in
him calculated according to the above-given principle ig =dΦ/dt. After calculations current of the ideal source
is:

i g  ε 0 SE m cos t.

If we remove the impedance Z between plates, they become thin parallel metal plates in the uniform electric
field. The voltage between the plates can be calculated as the voltage between two equipotential surfaces in a
uniform electric field [5]. So, that voltage is proportional to the intensity of field and distance (r) between them:

u  rE m sin t.

In this case whole current ig flows through the internal impedance of the Norton's source(Z g). This impedance
could be calculated in accordance to Norton’s theorem [4] by dividing the amplitude of voltage (Um = rEm) and
amplitude of current of the ideal source (Im = ε0 ωEmS) and it is:

r
Zg  .
 0S

As we know [6] capacitance two plates determine known expression: (C = ε0S/r), therefore we can say that the
internal impedance of Norton's source is capacitance, determined by the capacitance between the plates:

1
Zg  .
C

With known electric current and the internal impedance of the Norton's source, in Figure 5 is drawn a scheme of

the equivalent electrical circuit for induction in the case when the plates are connected with impedance Z.

This scheme defines the relationship between the area of plates, space between plates, induced current and

impedance of the load. This is a model that allows calculating of physical and electrical parameters of devices
on the principle of induction in electric field. As is obvious from this scheme, for good exploiting of induced
currents, the impedance of the load must be smaller than the capacitive impedance of the plates.

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Figure 5: The scheme of equivalent circuit

There is an apparent similarity of here defined principle and the known Faraday’s law induction in the magnetic
field. According to Faraday’s law [3], changes of the flux of the magnetic field in a conductive loop will induce
electromotive force, which is proportional to the rate of flux change through the area of the loop. Thus,
according to both principles, induced currents are proportional to the rate of change of flux. The similarity
suggests that in an electric field is possible to utilize the same methods that are used for the application of
Faraday’s law. One example is a generator of alternating current, which works on the same principle of
electromagnetic generators [7]. Figure 6 presents a model of a generator whose rotor consists of two plates that
are mounted to the non-conductive shaft. The plates are exposed to electrostatic or invariable electric field. In
our experiment as the source of the electrostatic field we have used the polyvinyl plate charged by friction with
piece of textiles. As a source of electric field it is also possible to use two metal plates connected on the DC
source. A load resistor is connected between the plates through two sliding ring contacts. By rotating the shaft
with angular velocity ω, flux through the plates will change according to the function φ = Φm cosωt. According
to the here presented principle, these changes of flux generates sinusoidal shape current in the load resistor. If
we suppose that impedance of the plates is much bigger from load resistance, current in the load could be
expressed by the equation i = ε0 ω Φm sinωt.

Figure 6: The model of the alternating current generator.

Legend: 1- metal plates; 2-non-conductive shaft; 3 - sliding ring contacts.

Electrodynamic induction in the electric field could be used in the same way as induction in the magnetic field.
But there are some limitations. The induced current is so small because of the small value of ε0 (8,85 . 10-12).
Because of that, generators on this principle generate small current, even in the strong electric field. Here we

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proved this principle in the environment with permittivity of vacuum (ε0). We didn’t consider this principle in
environments with other permittivity values. Another limitation in the applicability of this principle is the
condition that changes of the flux through both plates are equal. So, the plates must be thin and at a small
distance. On the other hand, the fact that induced current is proportional to the rate of change of flux gives the
possibility of inducing of electric current even if the values of field intensity are very small. Therefore, the
principle of induction could be used for the detection of the electrostatic and electromagnetic field, just as
Faraday’s law is used for the magnetic field.

5. Conclusion

In this paper is shown principle of electrodynamic induction in the electric field on the specific metal shape.
That principle can be applied in the variable and invariable electric field, as well as in an electrostatic field,
regardless of the method for generating changes of flux. It is also presented a mathematical model and
equivalent scheme that allows calculating the electrical circuits in accordance with this principle. The model
defines the relationship between changes of the flux of electric field, area of plates, the distance between them
and induced currents. Electrodynamic induction in the electric field could be used in the same way as
electrodynamic induction in the magnetic field. There is an obvious apparent similarity between this principle
and Faraday’s law of induction in a magnetic field. A characteristic example of the application of this principle
is a generator of alternating currents, which is similar to the well-known electromagnetic generator.

References

[1]. Zoya Popovic, Branko D. Popovic. Introductory Electromagnetics. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2000, pp
55-61.

[2]. Zoya Popovic, Branko D.Popovic. Introductory Electromagnetics. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2000,pp
65-69.

[3]. Zoya Popovic, Branko D. Popovic. Introductory Electromagnetics. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2000, pp
242-245.

[4]. Charles K. Alexander, Mathew N.O Sadiku. Fundametals of Electric Circuits. New York: McGraw-Hill
Companies, 2013, pp 145-146 and 496.

[5]. Zoya Popovic, Branko D. Popovic. Introductory Electromagnetics. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2000, pp
46-51.

[6]. Zoya Popovic, Branko D. Popovic. Introductory Electromagnetics. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2000,
p109.

[7]. Zoya Popovic, Branko D. Popovic. Introductory Electromagnetics. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2000, pp
245-246.

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